A Case Series on Amniotic Band Syndrome Presenting as Congenital Anomaly

Introduction: Amniotic band sequence (ABS) is a constellation of complex fetal morphological abnormalities associated with intrauterine amniotic bands.1 It is a rare disorder and with varied degrees of abnormalities.2 The clinical aspects of the limbs are varied with presence of cutaneous grooves of amputation, pseudo-syndactyly and club feet.3The incidence varies from 1 in 1,200 to 1 in 15,000 live births.4 Both sexes are equally impacted.5 Anomalies can range in severity from simple craniofacial clefts that are ultimately life-incompatible to single-digit amputations. Materials and Methods: Case Series: Our case series depicts four deliveries at HI Tech Medical College and Hospital, BBSR. Each of our patient case demonstrates the spectrum of ABS and supports the extrinsic theory as the primary mechanism. Results: The first case resulting in lateral encephalocele with a complex facial cleft and subsequent intrauterine fetal demise. The second patient case resulting in fetal unilateral lower extremity limb reduction. The third patient case resulting in premature prelabor rupture of membranes and delivery at 29 weeks with pedal amputation. The fourth and final patient case resulted in a lethal limb-body-wall defect with extravasation of visceral organs and a sacral myelomeningocele. Conclusion: All four of our cases lend support to the extrinsic theory as the primary pathological mechanism. Each of our patients had risk factors for potential hypoxic injury and subsequent amniotic band formation.